Liverpool foward, Sadio Mane has been rewarded for his part in Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph by having a stadium named after him in his birthplace.
Africa Daily News, New York recalls that the 29 year old Mane, converted the title-winning penalty as the Teranga Lions overcame Egypt in last Sunday’s final to secure his country’s first-ever continental title.
The mayor of his birthplace Sedhiou, Abdoulaye Diop, has now announced on Friday that the town’s new football stadium will bear his name.
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The future Stade Sadio Mane is currently under construction and due to open next year.
The Mayor declared: ‘Sadio Mane has honoured all of Senegal, the Sedhiou region and the entire Casamance area.
‘I have decided to name the Sedhiou stadium after him.
‘In doing so I wish to convey the gratitude of all the sons and daughters of the region towards him.
‘He has made all of mankind aware of Bambali and Sedhiou, the region’s main town.
‘This is a gift that Sadio Mane truly deserves.’
Mane has previously donated money for hospitals, health centres and mosques in Senegal.
Africa Daily News, New York reports that this was coming after Senegal’s President Macky Sall declared a public holiday to celebrate the national football team’s first ever African Cup of Nations crown following their victory against Egypt.
Sall, who had been due to visit Comoros at the end of a trip in Egypt and Ethiopia, cancelled the last leg in order to welcome the triumphant Lions on their return to Dakar last Monday.
The Senegalese side who were led by Liverpool star Sadio Mane, over powered Mohamed Salah’s Egypt 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out at Sunday’s final in Cameroon. The game had finished goalless after extra time.
After two previous final defeats in 2002 and 2019, Senegal finally claimed their first Cup of Nations title.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
